Ric Flair Granted Release From WWE
Photo Credit: WWE
Ric Flair is no longer with WWE.
According to a joint report from Wrestling Inc and Fightful, Ric Flair asked for and was granted his release by WWE, effective Monday, August 2.
Fightful Select reported more details regarding Flair’s release, noting that the two-time WWE Hall Of Famer had grown frustrated with certain booking decisions on television, and reached out to Vince McMahon directly to voice his concerns and ask for his release. It was noted that although Flair hadn’t been on WWE TV in some time, the issues he spoke out about were “fairly recent.”
Flair signed a new contract with WWE last year, and appeared in a storyline relationship with Lacey Evans during her feud with Charlotte Flair. Several months after the angle ended due to Evans’ real-life pregnancy, Flair shared his frustrations with being involved in the storyline.
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Flair initially told Busted Open Radio that he was caught “off-guard” by the storyline, later explaining on the Ariel Helwani MMA Show that he didn’t really care for the angle and why he went through with it.
“In this instance, I didn’t [feel comfortable.] The one thing I’ve learned [is] you’re not gonna win a war when someone’s got their mind made up. And [Charlotte] most definitely didn’t like it. But the one thing I can say about me is I always said yes. Because…I didn’t want to be that guy that was always going oh god, that isn’t perfect for me. I mean, I don’t know how much you’ve followed my career, but I have been buried in the desert by [Vince] Russo. I’ve had my head shaved. I mean if you look at the other top guys in our industry, whether it’s Shawn [Michaels] or Hunter or Undertaker or Bret Hart,” Flair said, “nobody’s gone through all this.”
“I mean I’ve done everything. I’ve weathered every storm and I’ve come back, but when that was all over, I was mad. But now I don’t feel [angry.] I just look back and say I weathered it. And this was something where I got to TV,” Flair explained, “and Mr. McMahon wasn’t there to argue the point with. And he had stuff going on, and I don’t like to put the pressure on someone if I can’t talk to him.”
Flair went on to explain what Vince McMahon saw in Evans, a former Marine, and why he wanted to elevate her and push her to success.
“He just made up his mind,” said Flair. “I think a lot of it is because she’s a marine, and God only knows we cannot give enough back to the people that serve in the military. And that’s a given. And I think [McMahon] wanted her to be successful, and the way to get successful sometimes is to take two of the people that are doing really well, and give them the rub. But it just didn’t fit this time,” Flair stated. “We made the best of it and then ultimately, she ended up, she’s pregnant now with her husband.”
“You’re not gonna win the argument him because he’s smarter and he’s the boss,” said Flair. “We may be the smartest guy I’ve ever met because he never stops being the best.”
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